Sit or Squat?

Now that we have your attention with some bathroom humor, this blog isn't really about toilet habits or preferences.  Although, we have been accused of interfering with our Warriors' ability to painlessly visit the bathroom.

Love 'em or hate 'em, you have come to know that squats are one of our favorite exercises.  Why do we love the squat, and endless variations thereof, so much?  Because it is one of the single best exercises you can do!

World renowned physical therapist, Phil Wharton, states that "we were designed to squat for rest".  He notes that while working in Japan and Kenya he observed many people at rest by squatting.  In his back book he states that "We sit to rest, but sitting can tire our backs even more, compressing vertebrae, fatiguing muscles, and straining connective tissues."  On the other hand, he states, "Squatting relaxes your posture and elongates your spine like little else".  

In addition to relaxing our backs and promoting spinal health, squatting has many additional benefits including:

• Muscle growth.  Squatting employs the muscles in the thighs which are some of the largest in the body.  When muscles are worked they release testosterone that acts not only on those muscles, but promotes whole-body development.
• Balance.  Doing squats also "strengthens", or improves functioning of the nervous system which can improve our balance.
• Joint Support.  Strength training not only improves muscular strength, but it also strengthens bone and connective tissue.  These gains help to support the joints.
• Core Strength. Squats are actually a great core strengthening exercise.  The muscles in our abdomen and back must engage as we squat.  The added benefit is that a stronger midsection improves our posture, balance, and reduces our risk of injury.

So we can squat to rest, squat to stretch, squat to strengthen, and believe it or not there is a study to support that we might reduce our risk of developing Crohn's disease, colon cancer, and hemorrhoids if we were to squat for other, er... activities.